Leon Levels Up

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle-grade readers, twelve-year-old gamer Leon is shocked when the cool kid invites him to test out a not-yet-released virtual-reality video game. When a glitch puts them in real-life danger, Leon must battle a dragon to save them both. There are only two choices: win or die. In the real world, Leon isn't built to be a hero, but he must become one when he gets trapped in a cutting-edge virtual-reality game. Twelve-year-old Leon loves video games. When he plays, he feels confident and amazing for just a little while. The rest of the time he feels like a loser. So Leon is shocked when Nico, the coolest kid ever and the son of a video-game developer, invites him over to test out the newest game at his dad's high-tech lab. To play, they must submerge themselves in giant tanks filled with nanobots, which are programmed to interact with the players and form the physical gaming world. It sounds perfectly safe. But a glitch causes the tiny robots to start behaving oddly, putting the boys in real-life danger. Now it's up to Leon to slay a dragon, to beat the game and save Nico and himself...before the timer runs out. Key Selling Points - Twelve-year-old Leon must beat a virtual-reality video game when a glitch puts him and his friend in real-life danger. - This story looks at themes of loneliness, self-esteem and self-acceptance. - Virtual-reality gaming is popular and the technology continues to advance. Although the specific technology in the book doesn't exist (yet), it explores what could be possible in the future. - This story will appeal to gamers, aspiring programmers, tech enthusiasts and fantasy lovers alike. - This is Paul Coccia's third hi-lo book with Orca, following Cub in the Orca Soundings line and I Got You Babe in the Orca Currents line. - Enhanced features (dyslexia-friendly font, cream paper, larger trim size) to increase reading accessibility for dyslexic and other striving readers. Orca Currents are short, high-interest novels with contemporary themes written specifically for middle-school students reading below grade level. Reading levels from grade 2.0 to 5.0. Paul Coccia is the author of the bestselling Orca Soundings title Cub, which was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, and the Orca Currents title I Got You Babe. His award-winning book On the Line was co-authored with Eric Walters. Paul has an MFA in creative writing from the University of British Columbia and lives in Toronto with his family.